About

SEK 51,695

pledged of SEK 48,000 goal

191

backers

Well, it’s time: the very last obstacle in whether or not we get to make our visual novel. I have to admit, it’s a bit scary. And exciting. A bit relieving too, I think. Regardless of the outcome, I’ve had fun – a great deal of fun.

Last month, we released a demo for the purpose of showing off our ideas in action that covers about an hour of gameplay. We were happy with its overall reception, and we are now taking the next step forward. I wrote the majority of the demo's scenario in a bit over a month this winter after having mapped out future major plot points. After that, we spent around a month polishing the text and rewriting segments we weren’t happy with. The artwork came along nicely, as did the scripting. Suddenly, we had a working demo. Engine features aside (we plan on switching to Unity), the demo should accomplish what it set out to do. If you haven't tried it out yet, you can do so here:

“Some would call this a dystopia. It is, after all, a time in history where your individual will cannot be respected as it once could. We are, after all, on the brink of becoming a dying breed. Or so they say, anyway.

I am being ripped out of my ordinary life, and I will be put into the system's hands. I understand why. I understand why it's necessary. On some level, I am even relieved by it. Social disinterest. Isolation. They have a plan for making this right, because so far it has all been so, so wrong. Every fiber of my body can attest to that.

I am soon getting on a bus together with the rest of the young, healthy people of my neighborhood. We are leaving for a settlement. It's a settlement where futures are made, supposedly. Where free wills are neglected, presumably. Where the human race will get another chance at surviving, hopefully."

―Quentin, protagonist of Anomie

Anomie is set in a fictional world that resembles our modern day. The protagonist, Quentin, finds himself experiencing a chain of events that leads him to what can only be described as a new life. A new place with new rules—a new life, a new future. Will the public authority's desperate efforts bear fruit?

The visual novel is well-rounded in its genres: drama, slice of life, and romance – but at its core, Anomie is a psychological thriller with elements of mystery and philosophical ponderings. These ponderings consider not only life, but also society as a whole, as well as its possible collapse in the universe of Anomie. What happens in society when people alienate each other, when isolation is widespread, when social disinterest is prevalent? How do we conquer it? What happens if you try to revert it... forcibly?

The term itself – anomie – signifies a breakdown in the norms, values, and culture of a group or society. Anomie is a recurring, major theme in this visual novel. The total playtime should be around 10 hours.

Early character sketches

Isak Björn Hedlund - Once

LeafCascade - Shatter

LeafCasade - Grand

I’m LeafCascade (the name I go by on the visual novel subreddit), and I’m the writer as well as the project lead for Anomie. I have also composed a fair bit of Anomie’s music. After being inspired by a great deal of visual novels over my years of being interested in them, I decided to make one of my own. I’d say my motivation partly stems from all the intriguing themes and ideas I feel could have been expanded upon in works such as Umineko no Naku Koro ni; Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shoujo; and Harumade Kururu/Natsukumo Yururu, but also because I wanted to contribute to the western visual novel scene with something that I believe it has been lacking.

I'm Veera, a student from Finland, and I'm responsible for everything visual in Anomie: sprites, backgrounds, CG's, UI, and graphics (like the images here on Kickstarter). I'm able to draw a variety of different things ranging from photorealism to cartoony visuals. My art is inspired by a little bit of everything – from both western and Japanese styles. This project has introduced me to visual novels, and I'm doing my best to make Anomie one of the better looking OELVN's.

My DeviantArt can be found here. I can be contacted through Reddit (/u/DulcetDove) or Discord (Veera#6808).

Supporting staff include but is not limited to: insanityissexy & Gustav (QC & Editing), Isak Björn Hedlund (secondary composer), Majk (secondary composer). I'd also like to give special thanks to qhp, MotivatedRed, and Don for helping out with various things pertaining to the Kickstarter. Thank you all for your continued support.

Risks and challenges

We have tried to keep the project relatively risk-free by not relying on anyone outside our team. If we fail in something, it's our fault and no one else's. Our largest uncertainty is how long certain parts of the creative process will take. We are determined to see this project through, the only doubt we have is our ability to judge the amount of time it will require.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 330 or more
About US$ 35

~$40

- A handwritten letter from the writer personally expressing gratitude (aesthetic abilities not guaranteed). The letter will also contain various thoughts and ideas pertaining to the game, including things that were not put into the final version (unique contents to each letter).
- All previous rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 412 or more
About US$ 43

~$50

- Closed beta access. Whenever we have a working build of the game, you’ll be the first one to know. You’ll also have the opportunity to give us feedback before the game is officially released.
- All previous rewards. (-letter)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 660 or more
About US$ 69

~$80

- A hand-drawn, black-and-white, autographed illustration (shikishi) by Veera. You may choose two characters instead of one (or an event within reasonable limits) to be depicted in your preferred way on the shikishi.
- All previous rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 783 or more
About US$ 82

~$95

- A hand-drawn, colored, autographed illustration (shikishi) by Veera instead of a black-and-white one. You may choose one character or event within reasonable limits to be depicted in your preferred way on the shikishi.
- All previous rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 1,650 or more
About US$ 172

~$200

- Do you have any ideas for the game? Plot-wise, character-wise, or otherwise? Become a consultant. You get to work together with the team on Discord as we take your feedback into consideration as we create the game. You will be credited along with the other staff as a consultant.
- All previous rewards. (-shikishi)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 2,475 or more
About US$ 258

~$300

- Design a side character: its name, looks, personality, and you may even write some of their lines should you want to. Then, submit your ideas to us. We do, however, reserve the right to have the final say in all and any matters. You will be credited under “character design”.
- All previous rewards. (-shikishi)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 495 or more
About US$ 52

~$60

- A hand-drawn, black-and-white, autographed illustration (shikishi) by Veera. You may choose one character or event within reasonable limits to be depicted in your preferred way on the shikishi.
- All previous rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 1,031 or more
About US$ 108

~$125

- A hand-drawn, colored, autographed illustration (shikishi) by Veera instead of a black-and-white one. You may choose two characters instead of one (or an event within reasonable limits) to be depicted in your preferred way on the shikishi.
- All previous rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 2,888 or more
About US$ 301

~$350

- Design a side character; its name, looks, personality, and you may even write some of their lines should you want to. Then, submit your ideas to us. We do, however, reserve the right to have the final say in all and any matters. You will be credited under “character design”.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge SEK 3,713 or more
About US$ 387

~$450

- Become a secondary producer. This includes the last two tiers, as well as an even more close collaboration with the primary producer compared to the “consultant” tier. You’ll be directly involved in the creative process, and the writer will through preferred chat service personally take your ideas into consideration. We do, however, reserve the right to have the final say in all and any matters.